Things to do

Mammoth Mountain Activities

With plenty of year-round things to do just steps from Mammoth Mountain Chalets, your cabin is a gateway to outdoor adventure. Take a nature walk in the forest, watch wildlife from your deck, or head out for a day in the wild.

The slopeside Mammoth Mountain cabins are ski-in ski-out in the winter and when the snow melts you’ll find hiking and biking trails out your front door.

No matter the time of year you decide to visit, you’ll find plenty of things to do for everyone in Mammoth Lakes.

Summer

While Mammoth is mostly known as a ski resort town, the region really shines in the summer. From alpine lakes and streams to hiking and biking trails there is an adventure around every bend in the High Sierra. Whether you are looking for an adrenaline fueled activity, a round of golf, or a scenic day of sightseeing you’ll find it here in the summer.

Mountain Biking - Families and mountain bikers of all ages will love to ride the trails at the Mammoth Bike Park. Bring your own bike, or rent one at Main Lodge and ride the gondola up to access the beginner, intermediate, and advanced downhill singletrack trails.

Hiking - Adjacent to the chalets you’ll find a hiking trail to the Minaret Vista, which leads to the Starkweather Trail that descends to Reds Meadow. Or climb the Mammoth Mountain Trail to the top and ride the Gondola back down.

Fishing – The anglers in your group will love fishing from the shore or on a boat at Lake Mary, Mamie or George in the Mammoth Lakes Basin. For catch and release fly fishing head to Hot Creek and cast a line on the spring creek, or go further south to the Owens River and hook a trout.

Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center - Kids and adults young at heart can try their skills on the Adventure Center’s climbing wall, bungee trampoline, or zip line all located right adjacent to the Chalets.

Ride the Scenic Gondola - Ride the Panoramic Gondola to the 11,053-foot summit of Mammoth Mountain, snap a few photos, and explore the interpretive center at the top.

Dog Friendly Things to Do - Take Fido for a swim in the nearby Reds Lake and throw a ball on the sandy shore. Hike the Minaret Vista Trail or the Mammoth Mountain Trail.

Reds Meadow - Hop on the nearby Reds Meadow Shuttle and explore Devils Postpile National Monument and Rainbow Falls. Go fly fishing on the San Joaquin River or take a horseback ride into the Ansel Adams Wilderness.

Summer Events and Festivals - There is an event or festival almost every weekend in Mammoth Lakes during the summer. Highlights include the Mammoth Motocross, Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks, Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza, Kids Fishing Festival, and Kamikaze Bike Games. Check our Events [Link] page for a listing of upcoming events.

Fall

Warm days and cool nights are just one of the many things visitors love about the fall season in Mammoth Lakes. It’s the quietest time of year, and you can enjoy many of the same summer activities without the crowds.

Explore the hiking and biking trails on Mammoth Mountain, or ride the gondola to the top for panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. Anywhere you go you’ll a see a spectacular display of fall colors as the foliage changes from green to yellow, orange and red.

Visit the Inyo Craters to see the volcanic craters and stop by the Earthquake Fault to view the deep fissure. Or take the shuttle to Yosemite National Park to see the colorful fall foliage in Tuolumne Meadows and climb on the granite domes.

Winter

With over 3,500 skiable acres, Mammoth Mountain is a winter playground for skiers and snowboarders. An average snowfall of 400 inches per year combined with 300 days of sunshine makes Mammoth Lakes the ideal vacation spot for snowsport enthusiasts.

Skiing and Snowboarding Snow permitting, you can ski to the chairlifts from your slopeside cabin. Ride back to your Mammoth Mountain Chalet on our groomed trail and enjoy lunch or après ski by your fireplace.

Mammoth Mountain Information Ski school, equipment rentals, lift tickets, snowmobile adventures, day care, and some retail stores are a short walk or ski away. Additional options for rentals, day care, and other services can be provided onsite at Mammoth Mountain Chalets through our affiliated partners.

Snowplay You’ll find plenty of outdoor space outside your Chalet for making a snowman or snow angles, sledding, and having a snowball fight.

Scenic Gondola Ride The non-skiers in your group will enjoy a scenic ride in the gondola to the top of California’s highest ski resort. Before you ride back down, explore the interpretive center and learn about the geology, natural and human history of the region, and grab a bite to eat at the Summit Café.

Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing Take a day off from downhill skiing or snowboarding and climb up to the Minaret Vista on cross country skis or snowshoes.

Spring

Spring has the advantage of offering winter and summer activities. With snowfall sometimes lasting into June, Mammoth is ideal for spring skiing and snowboarding. While the upper slopes still have snow, the lower elevations are warming up and there is plenty more to do than just ski.

Hit the slopes early and go mountain biking on the lower elevation trails after lunch. Or hire a fly fishing guide for a day on Hot Creek or the Owens River.

In late spring when Reds Meadow opens for the season take a walk on the Agnew Meadows Wildflower Loop to see the early season bloom, and hike to Rainbow Falls for the spring waterfall spectacular.